What is the relationship between Bulimia and Addiction?

For better understanding bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that has a lot in common with drug and alcohol addiction. Overlapping behaviors of substance abuse and eating disorders are well-known; according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, approximately 35% of all women suffering from alcoholism also suffer from some form of an eating disorder.

There are many factors that can explain the connection between addiction and bulimia.

• Genetics are one of the factors. The percent of the phenotype connection between bulimia nervosa and substance abuse is very high: 83%. Biology and genetics of a person directly determine their vulnerability to developing drug addiction, an eating disorder, or both.
• Environmental factors such as childhood abuse, trauma, life transitions (moving to college, the death of a loved one, experiencing a divorce, etc.) or family history can influence the vulnerability of an individual. A person is more likely to abuse drugs or to suffer from eating disorders if a family member had the same problem and similar behaviors.

Therefore understanding bulimia nervosa in relation to addiction lays in common behaviors and characteristics. Compulsivity (purging, excessive exercise, drinking, etc.), obsessive preoccupation (any obsession: with food, activity, or substance), ritualistic behaviors, social isolation and impulsive choices are behaviors connecting bulimia and addictions.

Psychological connection between bulimia and addiction includes low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. This can be an enchanted circle of co-morbid conditions and suffering from bulimia, and a drug addiction can be devastating and too much to handle. All of the consequences can be destructive to both the individual and those around him who love and care about him/her.

Addictions have much in common. Integrated Addiction Conference has a lot to offer to those who are looking to learn more about different addictions, connections between them and treatments. Visit the official website and register http://ivbar4u.com/blog/integrativeaddictionconference/

Bulimia and addiction (drug addiction more than others) often have in common the underlying cause and consequences. Researches show that bulimia comes first, and drug addictions follow this eating disorder. Some drugs like methamphetamine reduce hunger while other drugs and alcohol “help” vomiting.  Once again, researchers show that majority of people suffering from bulimia are young women. Why is this so? Bulimia has much to do with self-image and self-esteem. Wrong picture young woman get of their bodies lead them into torturing their body and vomiting after meals, to avoid consuming calories. TV shows, advertisement, social networks and the internet are promoting wrong ideals that people look up to; this leads to various disorders and addictions or a combination of these two.

People suffering from Bulimia nervosa often opt for marijuana to relax and calm down a bit. Their lives are stressful, and their psychical state requires professional help. Instead of admitting they have a problem, people usually turn their head and look for things to ease the pain or to keep their thoughts away from the problem.

Bulimia and addiction have much in common, and they can be treated at the same time. Like mentioned, there is usually the same cause underlying and by detecting the reason for addiction/bulimia, professionals will be able to help the patient and start the treatment with enough information.

Columbia University conducted a new study that shows the connection between bulimia and addictions from a different, biological angle. The study shows that people suffering from bulimia have similar dopamine hormone abnormalities in their brain, just like cocaine or alcohol addicts have. Also, craving for drugs/alcohol and feeling the urge to activate same parts of the brain. For more information, visit the Integrate Addiction Conference and find out more biological connections between bulimia nervosa and addictions. At the official website of the Conference, you will find more details about registration and speakers who will educate you more on these topics. Visit http://ivbar4u.com/blog/integrativeaddictionconference/ and learn from experts about the connection between bulimia and addictions and how to treat them.

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Understanding Bulimia in relation to Addiction: Therapy

Treating Bulimia Nervosa and addictions (drug addiction or alcohol addiction) can be treated at the same time, due to their similarity. Most common ways are psychotherapy therapies (both group and individual) and cognitive-behavioral therapy. These therapies focus on the psyche of the patient and try to reach deeper to the cause of the problem. Group therapies are a good choice because they show patient they are not the only ones suffering from eating disorder and addictions. They will socialize and see the problem from a different angle, once they hear other people’s stories.

Now that we are understanding bulimia and addiction to have a very strong connection, it is important that we look for lasting solutions to this problem. Usually, there is one place to look at to find out the cause of these disorders. Professional help is required because these states can severely damage individual’s health and life quality, as well as the life of people who love them. Educate yourself more at http://ivbar4u.com/blog/integrativeaddictionconference/ and explore the connection between bulimia nervosa and addictions at the Conference.